Stateless Crimes,Legitimacy, and International Criminal Law: The Case of Organ Trafficking |
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Authors: | Leslie P Francis John G Francis |
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Institution: | (1) University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA |
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Abstract: | Organ trafficking and trafficking in persons for the purpose of organ transplantation are recognized as significant international
problems. Yet these forms of trafficking are largely left out of international criminal law regimes and to some extent of
domestic criminal law regimes as well. Trafficking of organs or persons for their organs does not come within the jurisdiction
of the ICC, except in very special cases such as when conducted in a manner that conforms to the definitions of genocide or
crimes against humanity. Although the United States Code characterizes trafficking as “a transnational crime with national
implications,” (22 U.S.C. § 7101(b)(24) (2010)), trafficking is rarely prosecuted in domestic courts. It has thus functioned
in practice largely as what might be judged a “stateless” offense, out of the purview of both international and national courts.
Yet these forms of organ trafficking remain widespread—and devastating to those who are its victims. In this article, we begin
by describing what is known about the extent of organ trafficking and trafficking in persons for the purpose of removal of
organs. We then critically evaluate how and why such trafficking has remained largely unaddressed by both international and
domestic criminal law regimes. This state of affairs, we argue, presents a missed chance for developing the legitimacy of
international criminal law and an illustration of how far current international legal institutions remain from ideal justice. |
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